Russian yachter dies of heart attack while sailing off PD

MALACCA: A Russian man died from a suspected heart attack while sailing off Kuala Sepang, Selangor, yesterday.

In a statement, the Kuala Linggi Five District Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said that the 56-year-old man, known only as Ermak @ Epmak, is believed to have had a heart attack at 12.15pm.

Ermak’s yacht, named “Southern Breeze 3”, was found 17 nautical miles off the Port Dickson beach, in Negri Sembilan.

"We were alerted to the situation by a local fisherman.

“Two MMEA boats from Kuala Linggi and Klang were deployed for an emergency rescue at sea," the statement said.

"The man was found unconscious on the deck, while accompanied by another Russian man, who was his assistant.

“He was pronounced dead by a medical officer upon arrival at the Port Dickson Marine Department jetty," the statement said, adding that the body was taken to the Port Dickson Hospital for a post-mortem.

It is learnt that Ermak and his assistant were on their way to Phuket, Thailand, after setting sail from a port in Cambodia.

MMEA deputy director-general Datuk Indera Zulkifli Abu Bakar confirmed the incident, saying that a police report was made at the Port Dickson Police headquarters for further investigation. -- BERNAMA